The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-06-08

midnight, when the moon stood over
head and illuminated the landscape
| for miles around. The Indians had
withdrawn for some time and we're
| now lying In wait at safe distance,
depending upon daylight and its OPP
portunities, which surely must deliver
the game into their hands, as retreat
was cut of in every direction.
Not until now had the vigilantes an
opportunity to look alter the wound
ed man, who still lay motionless in
the same spot where he had fallen:
With the utmost care they carried
him to % sheltered place among the
boulders under q large pine tree, where
they tcnderly deposited his liielesss
form upon the grass, resting the head
against rock. Then they bathed
his face with cold water and forced
through his lips some OF the liquor
from field flask. After awhile life
and consciousness slowly returned.
"Let me die here, and save your
Selves" he whispered. ~ can neither
walk or ride; you have o chance to
escape during the night, II you. will
try; after daylight you will all be
lost"
Thereupon the four men retreated
several steps for consultation, which
was held in an undertone and lasted
but few minutes.
Then Jim Arneaux, rifle in hand,
climbed upon high ledge OF rocks for
purposes OF observation. The other
three returned to the wounded man
and as the latter was now shivering
Healy built small fire, while Stuart
and Beidly threw themselves upon
the ground.
"Save yourselves, comrades, groan-
ed Brent once again; 81 am too weak
to attempt escape"
Everyone was silent for q moment,
then Stuart spoke slowly and deliber-
ately: ave are not goingto leave you
in this condition; we are going to stay
with YOU"
ooh" implored the other, "do let
me die here. My life is not deserving
the sacrifice. You have condemned
me as criminal and without the re-
spect OF honorable men | havenothing
to live for" Tears ran down his pale
cheeks, and he raised his hands inn
ploringly as il in prayer.
"The matter is settled" answered
Stuart, almost roughly; "as long as
life remains with any OF us we'll de-
fend YOU"
Thanks, thanks" then after a
short pause, Captain, you think me
guilty, but l swear to you by the
memory OF my dear mother that |
am innocent. Believe me, captain,
before it is too late, so that | may die
in peace" =.
The three men looked upon him
with pitying eyes, and something like
a gleam OF light passed over the sui
ferer's face.
1--WE do believe you, Brent" finally
said Beidler, with q quivering voice
do we not comrades?"
Certainly, with all our hearts,
affirmed the two Others.
'"Then can die in peace" whispered
Brent, breathing with an audible sob,
and sinking sideways from the rock
upon the grass.
At the same moment there was an
explosion, and the vigilantes were
horror struck to see that Brent had
sent pistol-shot through his brain.
Long and silently they stood around
the lifeless body OF the young man
who had offered them the only oppor-
tunity OF escape.
Just before day break, under cover oil
the darkness which precedes the dawn
OF the morning. the vigilantes silently
stole through the underbrush and sur
rounding chain OF redskins" leaving
their horses behind. and managing to
reach the nearest camp during the FOL
lowing night. :,
Upon the lone hill where Brent died
there stands to-day small wooden
cross with the following inscription:
sacred TO the memory OF II. Brent,
He died that others might live"